Worcestershire Under-17s are in a position of considerable strength with a lead of 349 runs heading into the final day of their ECB County Championship match with Gloucestershire at Bishopston CC in Bristol.
Pete Clark picked up the last five wickets as Gloucestershire were dismissed for 174 in their first innings in reply to Worcestershire’s 290 all out.
Alex Hinkley, Xavie Clarke and Dan Holland then hit half centuries for Worcestershire who closed on 233-5 from 75 overs in their second innings.
Gloucestershire resumed on 107-2 and had seemed well set at 137-2 but then lost their last eight wickets for 37 runs.
Josh Baker (17-3-49-2) removed Will Naish (30) to end a partnership of 64 with Max Tryfonos and, with four runs added, made another breakthrough.
Clark then took centre stage and finished with 15-3-21-5 including Tryfonos for 49 with Henry Marshall (12-2-39-2) the other main wicket-taker.
When Worcestershire batted for a second time they lost two early wickets before Clarke and Hinkley added 93 for the third wicket.
Hinkley was third out at 129 after making 68 off just 62 balls with one six and 14 fours – a total of 62 in boundaries.
Clarke was run out for 52 after striking one six and five fours in his 113 ball innings after another 49 runs had been added.
Dan Holland pressed home Worcestershire’s position and finished the day unbeaten on 56 from 143 balls with eight fours.
